Anaconda Slated for Demolition

[mwhinva]

THIS!

What you just mentioned is a key piece of Anacondas weird opening history that is often not talked about. I searched and searched some more without finding additional info about Anacondas planned 6 inversions, though the fliers posted earlier were a part of it.

I’m hoping an email to Dennis Spiegel could maybe get returned. I remember hearing how the ride went through some major changes before much of it got built. I remember seeing concept art with a 6 inversion Anaconda a few years back. I hate myself for not remembering where I saved it to or if I even did save it.

If anybody is able to help with this I’d appreciate it. I’m nerding out trying to solve a missing inversion case of a freaking shitty roller coaster lol This stuff really scratches an itch.

I am not sure if Dennis would be of any help. He was GM during the KD construction years and he left the park in 1980. We are talking about a coaster that was in serious design phase in late 1988 or early 1989. I imagine Arrow started fabrication of the coaster by fall 1989. Construction started in the 1989-1990 off-season. About 1/2 of the ride was completed at that time. The rest of the coaster construction was completed in the 1990-1991 off season with the coaster opening in 1991.

Course, Dennis still stayed in the amusement industry with him starting a private consulting business. If he chose to keep close tabs with KECO or the park management during that time, he might have some background info.

 

[RollyCoaster]

^ That’s what I’m thinking. A lot of his podcasts that he’s been a part of mention a lot of Kings Island/Kings Dominion even during that period. Maybe he doesn’t know, but it’s a start.

 

[CoasterMac]

I would also love to see where the "Anaconda was designed for Dollywood" theory fits into this 6-inversion rumor. It appears the current (well- now former) Anaconda layout was pitched in that model with no differences. Maybe the first half of the ride was manufactured, they (KD) attempted to turn that butterfly into, say, a real double-inverting batwing, but it didn't have the speed to traverse that element and they settled for the Butterfly? Who knows. Well, hopefully Dennis

 

[guy305]

My impression was that the marketing team considered the butterfly turn an inversion

 

[Zachary]

My impression was that the marketing team considered the butterfly turn an inversion

This was also my understanding too, but the theoretical existence of another layout would discredit that explanation.

 

[mtpelepele]

We were also in a marketing era that didn't use "inversion", they used "loops". And "loops" got used a bit more loosely. Mindbender, for example, had 3 "loops" while only having two actual inversions.

 

[horsesboy]

Someone found it while making a scrap run.

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[Thriller]

Doesn’t the pond have to be drained for demolition? With the low budgets of Six Flags they will probably leave it as a mud hole.

 

[guy305]

Doesn’t the pond have to be drained for demolition? With the low budgets of Six Flags they will probably leave it as a mud hole.

They drain it every season anyway so hopefully nothing changes there

 

[wyldbill]

Any word as to where the trains went yet?

 

[Coasternerd]

Any word as to where the trains went yet?

If I had to guess, probably Corkscrew at CP

 

[Mike541x]

Just saw a post on Kings Dominion Historians of some drone shots of the demolition. The station, lift hill, corkscrews and half of the butterfly element have been removed. All that's left is the loop, sidewinder, MCBR and the other half of the butterfly.

 

[guy305]

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[CoasterMac]

Crazy photos! Looks like they are indeed demo-ing the footers as well, that's good. RIP anaconda.

(and that guy's hopes of returning to the park.)

 

[Mike541x]

I hope they fill that lake in like they normally do when it's gone. It will be a real eyesore if they don't.

 

[Coasternerd]

Why the dislike @Laggasaurus ?
He was saying that he hopes the lake gets refilled with water like it does every year. Personally, I hope it does. That area would look nasty as a dirt pit.

 

[horsesboy]

Why the dislike @Laggasaurus ?
He was saying that he hopes the lake gets refilled with water like it does every year. Personally, I hope it does. That area would look nasty as a dirt pit.

It also looks nasty as a muddy mosquito riden swamp when filled.

 

[Gavin]

It would fit the theme...

 

[Laggasaurus]

Why the dislike @Laggasaurus ?
He was saying that he hopes the lake gets refilled with water like it does every year. Personally, I hope it does. That area would look nasty as a dirt pit.

I misunderstood then. I read “fill in the lake” and in my mind’s eye saw a giant field of asphalt, and I cried.

 

[Coasternerd]

I misunderstood then. I read “fill in the lake” and in my mind’s eye saw a giant field of asphalt, and I cried.

Oh, yeah, that would be devastating. What’s left of the lake looks great.